THE King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery is the latest addition to this year’s Wiltshire Armed Forces and Veterans Weekend in Trowbridge Town Park on June 28 and 29.

The Troop will be riding out along Hilperton Road from 9.15am, before entering the arena at 9.45pm, where the Royal Regiment of Artillery will be awarded the Freedom of Trowbridge.

Following the award – the first time it has been granted by the town council – the Woolwich-based King’s Troop will parade through the town with the Royal Artillery and band at 11.00am.

The commemorations, held annually to celebrate and remember the veterans and serving members of the armed forces, will also include a bomb disposal demonstration, weapons display and skirmish re-enactment.

Organiser Maryrose Mantle said: “The Royal Horse Artillery will be taking part in the parade and it is good because it brings it more in line with Trowbridge, as it was the Royal Horse Artillery that was based here at the start of the Second World War.

“It will really be a one-off visit and it is worth coming along for.”

A Dakota flypast, which will see the Second World War aircraft fly over the town just weeks after being part of the D-Day commemorations in France. Mrs Mantle added: “It’s great we have the Dakota flypast returning again this year and to have that link with the D-Day 70th anniversary commemorations is special.”

The weekend will also include a walkthrough timeline showing the evolution of the military soldier from the First World War to present day and a performance from Warminster Military Wives Choir.

Both days will be rounded off with a parade of serving members of the forces, veterans and cadets through the town, before a military drumhead service in the park.

The free event will have reserved parking for blue badge holders in Court Street car park. Visit www.wafvc.co.uk or www.trowbridge.gov.uk

What’s on when over the weekend

Saturday, June 28 – Arena and Band-stand Events


9.45am Standard bearers, band and troops march in.
10am Opening ceremony at the bandstand.
10.05am Freedom of Town presented to Royal Artillery followed by parade through town.
10.45am 1940s Roadshow on bandstand.
11am Royal Artillery parade through the town.
11.30am Wiltshire Youth Marching Band.
11.30am Bottom field – 25th Bomb Disposal demonstration.
12.30pm Field gun race (heats).
1pm Warminster Military Wives Choir.
1.30pm Larkhill firepower demonstration.
2pm Wessex Military Band.
2.10pm Dakota flypast (subject to weather).
2.30pm Stagecoach Children’s Choir perform.
3pm Weapons display and skirmish.
3.30pm Field gun run (final).
4.30pm Wessex Military Band.
4.30pm  Bottom field – 25th Bomb Disposal demonstration.

Sunday, June 29

Arena/Bandstand Events and Parade/ Drumhead Service
9.30am Incidental music – Martyn.
10am 1940s Roadshow.
11am Wiltshire Youth Marching Band perform.
11.30am WWI songs remembered.
12 noon Evolution of the military soldier and equipment from WW1 to the present day.
12.30pm Weapons display and skirmish.
1pm Bottom field – 25th Bomb Disposal demonstration.
1-2.45pm 1940s Roadshow.
2pm Parade through the county town.
3pm Drumhead service following by Beating Retreat.